Family and Education

bap. 7 Jan. 1707, 1st surv. s. of Thomas Legh (M.P. Newton 1701-13, yr. bro. of Peter Legh of Lyme, M.P. Newton 1685) by Henrietta, da. and h. of Thomas Fleetwood of Bank Hall, Lancs. educ. Westminster 1721-7; St. John’s, Camb. 1727. m. 20 Dec. 1737, Martha, da. and h. of Thomas Bennett of Salthrop, Wilts., 2s. d.v.p. 3da. suc. fa. 1717; his niece at Bank Hall 1740; his uncle Peter Legh at Lyme 1744.

Offices Held

Biography

Legh was the nephew of Peter Legh of Lyme, the non-juring proprietor of the borough of Newton. After his father’s death he was brought up by his uncle, who on his own son’s death made him his heir1 and returned him for Newton in succession to William Shippen. In 1745 he and some other Cheshire Tories are said to have met at Lyme to consider joining the rebels but at his suggestion decided against it.2 In 1746 he voted against the Hanoverians. He died 20 May 1792.

Ref Volumes: 1715-1754

Author: Eveline Cruickshanks

Notes

• 1. E. Legh, Baroness Newton, House of Lyme, 386-7.
• 2. Ibid. 388-9; W. Beamont, House of Lyme, 185-6.